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Interesting dynamic this coming season is that it feels so different than the last decade. Usually by September 10 we'd be jonesing for hockey, feeling like we've been without Oilers hockey forever, and willing to follow any trace, even the Youngstars tournament. This offseason has been a lot shorter, and I feel less of a desire to get following the club till the season starts. Now that this club is in contender category all the other preseason stuff seems less fulfilling.

"if god exists and he allowed that to happen, then its better that he doesn't exist"

Oilers swept the rookie tournament today with a 5-4 OT win over the Canucks. The highlights of the game weren't pretty, with the Oilers being badly outshot 46-26. I didn't get a chance to watch any of the game live.

They're going to park their car over there. You're going to park your car over here. Get it?

The Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) is seeking a performer to step into the oversized shoes of Hunter, the Oilers' lynx mascot unveiled last year. And according to its Aug. 16 ad, the OEG is not looking for just anybody to step up and raise the roof.

Candidates are asked to have a post-secondary degree, or to be enrolled in a post-secondary program, and have a "keen knowledge of hockey." Also required is a "minimum of three years' experience at the collegiate, minor or professional-league level."

You would be expected to be Hunter in the suit for up to four hours at a time, never losing your non-verbal enthusiasm.

Core responsibilities and duties of the new full-time Hunter will include "interaction with fans, children and clients while inside the mascot suit" and the ability to "maintain and care for costume, props and signs used during in-game or community events."

Why the hell does it require a university degree to be a mascot?

“You have to dream big. If we want to be a little city, we dream small. If we want to be a big city, we dream big, and this is a big idea.” - Mayor Stephen Mandel, 02/22/2012

I liked how he didn't get a sh*t when he scored the goal. No celebration at all. He recognized that it was preseason, the goal wasn't going to be the game-winner, and that he'd be scoring many more the same way. I laughed when I saw how little he cared. I think he would have had the same expression had the whistle blown for an icing call.

They're going to park their car over there. You're going to park your car over here. Get it?

Coverage was nonexistent in the game yesterday. Looked like a game of shinny. That said looks like the Oilers shouldn't have too much trouble finding some goals this season. I did think however that the Oilers marking was poor as well. Jets hit something like 4 goal posts and had countless in close looks. But the Jets aside from Laine don't scare me a whole lot.

"if god exists and he allowed that to happen, then its better that he doesn't exist"

6-2 Oilers over Jets tonight. First 2 periods were a bit boring, but the Oilers really turned it on for the third. It was a bit worrisome for a bit, as the Jets sent their B team, and Oilers had pretty close to their A team dressed. McDavid looked great; Puljujärvi got 2 goals an an assist, and Brad Malone had 2 goals.

They're going to park their car over there. You're going to park your car over here. Get it?

Also, if you have problems accessing the stream through the website, try their Facebook page. Apparently the NHL is having problems with some of the geolocation stuff, and the FB page should work out if you have a problem.

They're going to park their car over there. You're going to park your car over here. Get it?

6-2 Oilers over Jets tonight. First 2 periods were a bit boring, but the Oilers really turned it on for the third. It was a bit worrisome for a bit, as the Jets sent their B team, and Oilers had pretty close to their A team dressed. McDavid looked great; Puljujärvi got 2 goals an an assist, and Brad Malone had 2 goals.

Its actually got me a little worried - often in the past there has been an inverse relationship between pre-season performance and the regular season. Hopefully not though

Interesting reports that Oilers have started contract talks with Maroon. That's a tricky contract - before being on CMD's wing he was a 30 point a year (in a good year), 3rd / 4th line player, at best - he was never able to perform with Getzlaf the way he performs with CMD. Last year he got 40, ten less than Lucic who didn't need to be / wasn't suited to be, CMD's shotgun (Lucic has been a reasonably consistent 50 point guy his career). But Maroon did put up those 27 goals on CMD's wing - There is clearly great chemistry between them, but he is 30. I think maybe 3m - 4m a year, not sure though. Given that Russell got 4m, I think Oilers have to be a little careful with the cap here, there are probably a lot of $2m journeyman NHL players who could slot into CMD's wing and instantly become better.

^I'm more concerned about the term for Maroon than the dollars. Maybe he's finally matured and got his personal crap together, but he's a guy who wasted the best years of his career being out of shape. He was basically banished from the Philadelphia organization before he ended up in Anaheim. His nickname was Fat Maroon. I'd be very reluctant to hand him anything more than 2 years given his history.

Originally Posted by Gord Lacey

Also, if you have problems accessing the stream through the website, try their Facebook page. Apparently the NHL is having problems with some of the geolocation stuff, and the FB page should work out if you have a problem.

Yeah, I couldn't stream a game earlier in the week from the Oilers website, and I noticed last night that their site was changed and directed you to their Facebook feed.

^I'm more concerned about the term for Maroon than the dollars. Maybe he's finally matured and got his personal crap together, but he's a guy who wasted the best years of his career being out of shape. He was basically banished from the Philadelphia organization before he ended up in Anaheim. His nickname was Fat Maroon. I'd be very reluctant to hand him anything more than 2 years given his history.

Originally Posted by Gord Lacey

Also, if you have problems accessing the stream through the website, try their Facebook page. Apparently the NHL is having problems with some of the geolocation stuff, and the FB page should work out if you have a problem.

Yeah, I couldn't stream a game earlier in the week from the Oilers website, and I noticed last night that their site was changed and directed you to their Facebook feed.

I'd never heard of this before. Keep in mind as well though that the Flyers org had not been well run and they offloaded some really good players including the best player they had in Jeff Carter. Plus that as in the case of Carter, and several other players, the Flyers had a developed habit of liking certain players and not liking others. Deserves to be said that the Ducks benefitted from having Maroon and have not been the same team since. They haven't really replaced him to this day.

In anycase I think a counter narrative could be developed around just the opposite. That Pat Maroon is a late blooming player that worked tirelessly to get to where he is now and has parlayed a 6th round unheralded pick to pretty good success.

Kassian is the high ranked prospect that nearly threw his career away.

Last edited by Replacement; 24-09-2017 at 11:49 AM.

"if god exists and he allowed that to happen, then its better that he doesn't exist"

As far as the value of a Patrick Maroon you could probably replace his production with a gift assignment of playing with McDavid but still we saw last season that Lucic didn't mesh with McD and Patty did.

What you can't replace is the onstoppable 225lbs of mature physical brute hockey player that happens to have hands. A guy that can get in the net and stay there and do things with the puck and not look at all out of place on a first line. Additionally Maroon is cited to be a good dressing room guy and he's helped to loosen this team up, to believe in themselves, and has been a positive addition here always trying to get the bench confident, positive, and fired up. This player brings infectious enthusiasm.

A lot of intangibles with Patrick Maroon right now. That said, given age, I think around 3yrs is all I would do. I think with this player you could get a home discount. Maroon likes it here and likes the opportunity here.

"if god exists and he allowed that to happen, then its better that he doesn't exist"

Ian shares his season tickets with others, so he's just telling us which games he gets to go to out of the season.

Heh, thanks, I couldn't figure it out either. Yikes, that's a mediocre list of games to go to. Half a dozen clubs that missed the playoffs or are just awful and an expansion club. But of note Yotes, Golden Knights, Canucks, Senators and Sabres represent tickets few would love. More misses than hits.

"if god exists and he allowed that to happen, then its better that he doesn't exist"

Habs game has huge value. Other than that these are some of the lowest draw clubs in the NHL and the weakest possible divisional matchups involving clubs that won't even be in the playoff picture. Yotes, Sabres, and Canucks hardly have NHL lineups. Its like watching AHL clubs.

"if god exists and he allowed that to happen, then its better that he doesn't exist"

Watch out for Yamamoto this year. I don't know what the finale lines will be but the way he's going he could easily be on the 2nd line with Dria.

Right wing is really interesting, not an area of strength, but potential. I think Oilers are destined to never be that strong on wings moving forward, more complimentary players than stars, as the stars are at center. The big money goes into center, and is spread around defense, which I believe is a smart model.

With Ryan Strome, Drake Caggiula, Jesse Puljujarvi, Anton Slepyshev and Kailer Yamamoto all fighting for the top 3 spots, I think all five should get a look the first few games. I expect Yamamoto to go down to junior for another year of conditioning / strength gain after a few games (maybe the full 9), but you never know, he is fast enough for the NHL right now.

Yikes, that's a mediocre list of games to go to. Half a dozen clubs that missed the playoffs or are just awful and an expansion club. But of note Yotes, Golden Knights, Canucks, Senators and Sabres represent tickets few would love. More misses than hits.

Right wing is really interesting, with Ryan Strome, Drake Caggiula, Jesse Puljujarvi, Anton Slepyshev and Kailer Yamamoto all fighting for the top 3 spots. I think all five should get a look the first few games. I expect Yamamoto to go down to junior for another year of conditioning / strength gain after a few games (maybe the full 9), but you never know, he is fast enough for the NHL right now.

People who know more about hockey-and-kids than I do are saying that it's actually in Yamamoto's best interest to get in another year of junior, even if he's feeling right now like he wants to rush things. What do you think of that?

Right wing is really interesting, with Ryan Strome, Drake Caggiula, Jesse Puljujarvi, Anton Slepyshev and Kailer Yamamoto all fighting for the top 3 spots. I think all five should get a look the first few games. I expect Yamamoto to go down to junior for another year of conditioning / strength gain after a few games (maybe the full 9), but you never know, he is fast enough for the NHL right now.

People who know more about hockey-and-kids than I do are saying that it's actually in Yamamoto's best interest to get in another year of junior, even if he's feeling right now like he wants to rush things. What do you think of that?

I think its probably smart, Flames took their time with Gaudreau and it paid off in spades. Gaudreau was drafted in the 4th round - I think if it hadn't been for his success, Yamamoto might have been a lot lower pick as well, so its probably a bit unfair for his development to elevate him too quickly.

Ian shares his season tickets with others, so he's just telling us which games he gets to go to out of the season.

Heh, thanks, I couldn't figure it out either. Yikes, that's a mediocre list of games to go to. Half a dozen clubs that missed the playoffs or are just awful and an expansion club. But of note Yotes, Golden Knights, Canucks, Senators and Sabres represent tickets few would love. More misses than hits.

Senators - I was born in Kanata
Stars - Have always liked them, memories of the 90s
Golden Knights - Curious to see them once
Coyotes - Leftover game
Blues - Young, exciting team
Canadiens - Pops fav, always fun to be in the rink with a 50/50 split
Sabres - See Blues
Sharks - A good buddy's fav team, our tradition, typically a good game
Canucks - Last game of the year, ie. when Connor nets his 100th G and 216pt to send the Oilers into the playoffs with 143pts

With the proviso that of the two Pat Maroon seems to elevate his game more in the playoffs. Not just in pts or goals scored but in being a factor all over the ice. I think Maroon is a harder player to play against.

But its fair comment, and most people think Ritchie is a better player. Also younger, and already a man mountain. But obtaining Ritchie cost the Ducks a first round pick to fill a role they already had filled. Ducks had also initially traded for Jamie McGinn to try to fill Pat Maroons's skates.

So it reduces to discard Maroon for nothing, trade for McGinn, then trade him, then spend a first round pick for what they already had. Weird lateral moves by the Ducks.

Last edited by Replacement; Yesterday at 09:44 AM.

"if god exists and he allowed that to happen, then its better that he doesn't exist"

Ian shares his season tickets with others, so he's just telling us which games he gets to go to out of the season.

Heh, thanks, I couldn't figure it out either. Yikes, that's a mediocre list of games to go to. Half a dozen clubs that missed the playoffs or are just awful and an expansion club. But of note Yotes, Golden Knights, Canucks, Senators and Sabres represent tickets few would love. More misses than hits.

Senators - I was born in Kanata
Stars - Have always liked them, memories of the 90s
Golden Knights - Curious to see them once
Coyotes - Leftover game
Blues - Young, exciting team
Canadiens - Pops fav, always fun to be in the rink with a 50/50 split
Sabres - See Blues
Sharks - A good buddy's fav team, our tradition, typically a good game
Canucks - Last game of the year, ie. when Connor nets his 100th G and 216pt to send the Oilers into the playoffs with 143pts

Is the last game the game where its fan appreciation night and giveaways? I knew there had to be a reason to pick a Canucks game. heh. But Sam Gagner is there this season and I might watch some just for that reason.

Golden Knights might actually have a reasonable team. Better than most expansion clubs of years past. Yotes are so awful, must have been last pick.

Can't agree with Sabres being much of a draw. Not even in Buffalo.

Sens? Yeah, being born there I guess explains a lot.

"if god exists and he allowed that to happen, then its better that he doesn't exist"

With the proviso that of the two Pat Maroon seems to elevate his game more in the playoffs.

8 points in 13 games, and only 3 goals, while not terrible, wasn't exactly outstanding on CMD's line in the playoffs. If anything the feeling was Maroon was not as effective in the last playoffs as the regular season (where he did well with 24 even strength goals). He seemed to my eye, a bit worn out / tired.

Hard to say. Given how little he played in rookie season this could be looked at as sophomore jinx year. (albeit that's a somewhat superstitious term) What I think really happens is that NHL corrections occur. That teams and players scout a break out player better and they receive tighter checking, for instance what occurred in the playoffs. Connor will have to work harder to get his 100pts this season and that is of little doubt. Related is the Oilers as a team will have to work harder to get the same amount of pts. Teams will get up for games against the Oilers more now. We were just starting to see that last season.

Teams that arrive always face stiffer opposition in subsequent years. For teams like the LA Kings its even meant going from SC champs to missing playoffs. That's how strong the dynamic is.

My honest call is this will be a harder season for the Oilers and in 18-19 they will challenge for the SC. Developing teams always seem to go through some hardship before they find their way. In effect this current team was born the moment Connor was picked.

"if god exists and he allowed that to happen, then its better that he doesn't exist"

Part of me agrees that McDavid will have a tougher time scoring this year because of more attention, scouting, etc. But part of me thinks he's going to be even faster, stronger, and will have an improved shot. And if there's a clamp down on slashing etc that results in more PP opportunities, that could be huge as well. I honestly think he could well end up with 110-120 points. And Draisatl has also looked very good in preseason, be could well be a point a game. Really looking forward to the real season starting.

What do you guys think about the Canucks and Kings playing in China? I'd really rather not see the Oilers play overseas games because I'd want the coaches to be able to insert players into games however they choose, not designate a group that goes overseas, and a group that stays home. While it'd be nice to have the team exposed internationally, I just don't see it being a benefit to the team overall.

They're going to park their car over there. You're going to park your car over here. Get it?

I think the China thing was largely a failure. Most reports indicated that the games were not sold out, and most fans attending were obviously ex-pats. And if the NHL wanted to grow the game in Asia, they'd be at the Olympics in 2018. Personally, I don't think it's the job of the NHL to grow the game outside of North America. That's more the IIHF's mandate.

^china was a strange choice to me. Japan might have made a bit more sense, there is more history with Japan and skating (former NHL player Kariya is Japanese Canadian). I don't think realistically there is much hope to expand Ice Hockey though, outside the traditional markets. German might be worth more of a push, they should have played there.

Going to the most populated country on Earth can't entirely be a waste of time or failure. The exposure is worth while and at least as a one off. Although it is inconsistent to go there and not go to the Olympics. Japan is a complete waste of time and there has been some 50yrs and Olympics of trying to grow the game there. To no result whatsoever. Forget Japan. China at least is a much bigger potential market.

When you hear about hockey in Japan its usually the other type, field hockey.

I think last night was the first preseason club to play the Oilers hard and that didn't come in here with a semi AHL lineup. Canes came in and spanked the Oilers for 3 periods at home. I get that these games don't mean anything, but jebus at least man up by the 3rd period. Bad effort by the Oilers. Everybody was bad. Lucic was incredibad. Caggiulia this preseason looks determined to play his way out of the lineup. To say he was awful is being charitable.

Even McD succumbed to ineffectual Hall/Hemsky like rushes where he was turning the puck over constantly trying to beat the Canes. Whole team looked off balance, slow, and Canes skating circles around the Oilers.

Yamamoto was the best Oiler on the ice by a country mile. Not even close. He's been knocking it out of the park every game. Sublime puck movement, anticipation, is in all the right spots and puts the puck in the right spots. I'm not talking occasionally, I'm talking every shift, every time. The kid is flying and doing everything right. Against a legit NHL lineup he was the best player on his club. If ever there was a case of playing your way onto a team.

"if god exists and he allowed that to happen, then its better that he doesn't exist"

Yamamoto was the best Oiler on the ice by a country mile. Not even close. He's been knocking it out of the park every game. Sublime puck movement, anticipation, is in all the right spots and puts the puck in the right spots. I'm not talking occasionally, I'm talking every shift, every time. The kid is flying and doing everything right. Against a legit NHL lineup he was the best player on his club. If ever there was a case of playing your way onto a team.

For sure he gets a 9 game look in the regular season. I know preseason is no indication and its early, but he's looking like he could be at least in the running for calder discussions.

Yamamoto was the best Oiler on the ice by a country mile. Not even close. He's been knocking it out of the park every game. Sublime puck movement, anticipation, is in all the right spots and puts the puck in the right spots. I'm not talking occasionally, I'm talking every shift, every time. The kid is flying and doing everything right. Against a legit NHL lineup he was the best player on his club. If ever there was a case of playing your way onto a team.

For sure he gets a 9 game look in the regular season. I know preseason is no indication and its early, but he's looking like he could be at least in the running for calder discussions.

The incredible thing is how he thinks the game at a high speed. Even playing on the first line with Drai and McD he was just moving the puck to the right area all the time as well as cloaking into the right positions to get a pass back. Against a Canes team that dressed their lineup and was playing like it mattered. From reports he's been doing this every game but tonight against an NHL performance.

"if god exists and he allowed that to happen, then its better that he doesn't exist"

- he tires out physically (happens to a lot of young players - NHL season is much longer, often prospects look better in pre-season because they need to peak for that to make the team, whereas regular NHL players hold off their peak conditioning for a bit later in the year)
- gets injured due to not having physically matured (some believe this is why Nuge has constant shoulder problems - was rushed into NHL too soon).
- defensive flaws in his game become apparent as opposition teams start targeting him.

Not saying he shouldn't get a trial, and maybe he should stay up, but if we can afford to be patient / team is strong enough without him, it might be better he spends another year growing in junior. Why rush him when there is no need to?

•I like the Oilers plan and thinking with Kailer Yamamoto. He has played well. He’s been more than they could have expected, but it doesn’t change their developmental plan. He will be going back to the WHL and that is best for the player. He is very skilled, excellent at getting his stick on loose pucks and has a noticeably high on-ice acumen. He just isn’t physically ready for the NHL. One final note on comparisons to Johnny Gaudreau: Gaudreau never entered the NHL until he was 21 and he had three seasons of college where he had ample time in the gym to get stronger. Strength is much more important than weight, and as Yamamoto gains more strength he’ll benefit even more.

He'll get a cup of coffee and play a few regular season games, but there's almost no chance they keep him for the season. I do like how he goes to the dirty areas, strips pucks etc. Looks like they found a steal.

^there is also the option then when we make the playoffs to bring him up for a playoff game or two at the end of the season (even if just to warm the bench, or a few short shifts in a series under control).